5th Annual MPFI-FAU High School Capstone Celebrates Research Scholars

JUPITER, FL – From insights in brain health to important implications about the health of our oceans, the research of 18 outstanding high school students was on display at the fifth annual FAU High School Capstone Celebration, a joint program between FAU High School Jupiter Campus and the Max Planck Academy at Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience.

At the April 21st celebration honoring the achievements of these outstanding students, guests learned about their research through poster presentations and short talks, before the students received certificates honoring the completion of the prestigious program.

Graduates of the FAU High School Jupiter Campus Program benefit from world-class research opportunities as part of their regular high school curriculum. Many students work alongside researchers in labs at Florida Atlantic University’s Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, as well as Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and UF Scripps Wertheim Institute for Biomedical Technology and Innovation.

Notable accomplishments include Danylo Fedkiv, who was recently recognized nationally as a Goldwater Scholar for his undergraduate research accomplishments. Shyla Grant was named the Wilkes Honors College Undergraduate Researcher of the Year. Six of this year’s graduates are national merit scholars, and three students have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, considered an extraordinary achievement for high school graduates. In addition, six students not only earned their high school diploma, they also completed the program with their bachelor’s degree, enabling them to begin master’s programs or grad school with no student dept.

MPFI CEO Dr. David Fitzpatrick praised the students, saying “Few programs offer the combination of a world-class neuroscience research institute and dedicated university partnerships that prepare students for real scientific careers — but the students who bring this program to life are equally extraordinary. These are not your typical high school students. They’ve posed bold scientific questions, designed the frameworks to answer them, and produced insights that have shaped real discoveries and deepened our understanding of the brain. Several have already earned national recognition for their research, and they are well on their way to remarkable scientific careers.”

Students who successfully complete the program earn a high school diploma, Max Planck certificates, and at least two years of college credit at no cost. These benefits, plus unmatched research opportunities at MPFI, lead to distinction in the FAU Max Planck Honors Program and an accelerated bachelor’s degree from FAU.

Learn more about the educational opportunities with MPFI and FAU High School, Jupiter Campus.